A virtual healthcare provider delivers health care outside of a health system using technology such as telephones, video, mobile apps, text-based messaging, and other communication platforms. Although these technologies enable virtual care, virtual healthcare goes beyond these technologies. Virtual healthcare is the actual delivery of care via technology to remote patients.
To reach and serve more people and address staff and resource shortages, health systems need virtual healthcare. Second opinions, consultations, chronic condition management, and remote monitoring of certain conditions can all be done through virtual healthcare.
In most cases, virtual healthcare is referred to as “telehealth” and “telemedicine,” but these terms limit its capabilities. In whole or in part, virtual healthcare is the ability to remotely see and engage a patient who is outside of the office regardless of the technology used to do so.
The reasons why virtual healthcare is becoming more popular
There are several factors driving more than 96 percent of health systems to expand their virtual healthcare capabilities, including legislation, payer influence, and consumer demand. The upcoming legislation will make it easier for virtual care providers to receive payment for their services, which has been a barrier in the past.
The use of virtual healthcare in employee benefits rose from 63 percent in 2017 to 74 percent in 2018. These policies are driving virtual care.
What is the difference between virtual healthcare and telehealth?
In theory, virtual healthcare is closely aligned with telehealth, telemedicine, and telepractice. However, they are not the same thing. Telehealth is a component of virtual healthcare. Virtual healthcare encompasses all aspects of care.
In today world, professionals and facilities are looking for ways to reduce the overall cost of healthcare while increasing patients’ access to care. Healthcare professionals are now able to communicate more effectively with patients thanks to digital technology, breaking down barriers that can hinder access to medical care for patients.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is the practice of treating various medical conditions where a healthcare provider does not physically meet their patient. Through electronic communication platforms such as live video, audio, or instant messaging, medical advice can be given and diagnoses made without the need for an in-person visit. Physician advice may range from at-home exercises to referrals to local providers. Technology has further enabled patients to access care through smartphone or tablet applications.
There is no doubt that treating certain conditions remotely is challenging. Telemedicine is often used to treat common illnesses, manage chronic conditions, or provide specialist care. The remote provider will advise the patient to seek in-person medical care if they are experiencing an emergent or serious condition.
Virtual care
The term “virtual care” is used to describe all the ways that healthcare providers interact remotely with their patients, including telemedicine and live video, audio, and instant messaging.
It may include answering any questions about their diagnosis, condition, or treatment plan following an in-person visit or monitoring vital signs after surgery. The term virtual care refers to all the ways in which patients and doctors can communicate in real-time using digital tools. While telemedicine refers to long-distance patient care, virtual care is a broader term that refers to a variety of digital healthcare services.
Telemedicine VS Virtual care
In virtual healthcare, patients are served by a range of categories and solutions. A telehealth provider can connect with a patient via telephone or video conferencing equipment, encompassing the technology that connects a provider with a patient.
Through virtual healthcare, patients can communicate with their actual providers in real-time, resulting in better care, especially in underserved areas. Virtual health uses technology to improve the delivery of healthcare. A number of studies have shown that virtual health programs can reduce costs, improve clinical outcomes, increase patient engagement, and expand access to care.
During a peer-reviewed study, one large health system reported that direct-to-consumer pediatric telemedicine reduced emergency department and urgent care utilization, as well as associated costs. In addition, 28 percent of parents would have visited the emergency department if “telemedicine” had not been available.
How does a virtual nurse work?
In reality, virtual nurses are human caregivers who provide care to patients through telehealth-based virtual technologies, not automated assistants or chatbots.
As with physicians and other caregivers, virtual nurses communicate with patients, help them maintain their conditions, monitor their health and outcomes, and coach their patients as necessary.
Virtual healthcare benefits
Virtual healthcare has numerous benefits for patients and health systems.
- For patients living in remote areas, rural areas, or underserved areas, virtual healthcare appointments offer better access to care. Virtual healthcare can become a lifesaving offering for many people, especially when there is a shortage of qualified providers near their homes. The American Telemedicine Association believes that virtual healthcare technology will also open up care channels.
- Patient-physician relationships are stronger as access expands and more services are available remotely, according to the American Medical Association.
- AARP reports that patients waste more time on routine doctor visits than they might think. Travel time takes time, and patients get frustrated.
- Many health systems are using virtual healthcare to monitor chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and COPD.
- Patients can get almost immediate access to caregivers. In-person follow-up care may be required, but the initial process can be started almost immediately.
- No matter where a patient is located – another city or abroad – telehealth is helping to increase access to doctors and services. For example, retirees tend to travel a lot and may need care from home. When they are on the go, virtual visits make it easier to coordinate care.
- Towers Watson estimates that virtual healthcare could save $6 billion per year in healthcare costs because chronic diseases can be better managed, travel times can be reduced, and hospital stays can be shortened.
- Using virtual care to manage chronic conditions is more efficient than in-person care. For example, diabetics can use mobile technology to manage their life, diet, and health, reducing the need for in-person care.
- For health systems, virtual healthcare can provide a slightly different set of benefits. It can augment human resources, expand clinical capacity, and improve efficiency, in addition to providing patients with the above-mentioned benefits. In addition to improving patient engagement, virtual healthcare also offers health systems the opportunity to move patients into more active involvement in their care.
- Virtual healthcare can facilitate in-person exams by gathering patient data, tracking symptoms, and offering potential options for care before the appointment. This advance information saves physicians time to analyze treatments and interact with the patient. Virtual care communication provides advantages for a medical practice as well as the patient; it is believed to save up to five minutes per encounter.
Conclusion
With virtual healthcare, nurses and caregivers are able to connect with patients no matter where they are. This leads to better outcomes and healthier populations.
A virtual healthcare system is an essential component of reaching and serving people and addressing business constraints for health systems. Additionally, virtual healthcare can be used to provide second opinions, consultations, chronic condition management, and remote monitoring of certain conditions.
Health systems must respond with practical solutions that meet this growing need as virtual healthcare develops and becomes more widely available.
